Motorcycle helmets and licences in Australian Capital Territory (2026)

In short: Riders and passengers on a motorbike in the ACT must wear an approved helmet. Licence and headlight rules have not been confirmed yet.

Notes

• An approved helmet is made in compliance with a relevant standard, has an identifying mark certifying compliance and is in good repair. A motorbike is a motor vehicle with 2 wheels (or 3 wheels if ridden like a 2-wheeler).
• Australian states and territories do not use the European A1, A2 and A categories. Learner and provisional licence stages differ by jurisdiction, so no figure is given for these categories.
• This rule has not been confirmed from an official source for this jurisdiction yet.

Sources

1. ACT Parliamentary Counsel: Road Transport (Road Rules) Regulation 2017 SL2017-43 (republication 17, effective 3 November 2025) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Australian Capital Territory

• E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, mainly footpaths and shared paths
• CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 18+ within the limit · Growing at home: Yes, 2 plants per adult, 4 per home
• Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h
• Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
• Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 years 9 months, with a supervisor
• Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
• E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Same rights as bicycles
• FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licence or permit needed)
• Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent visa: ACT licence after 3 months
• Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
• Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
• MopedsLicence: Motorcycle licence (class R)
• Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
• Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or untouched; L/P: no voice use
• Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
• Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, compulsory · Minimum alarms and where: On or near the ceiling in bedrooms or in the corridor that leads to bedrooms, installed as per the manufacturer's instructions and the National Construction Code. A multi-level home needs smoke alarms on each level, interconnected.
• Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
• Towing trailers and caravansTrailer mass allowed with a car licence in any combination: Up to 9,000 kg GVM
• Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
• Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

Related pages

• Motorcycle helmets and licences in Australia (2026)

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